SEATTLE – Mayor Greg Nickels applauded the passage of a redevelopment plan for the Fort Lawton Army Reserve Center being surplused by the federal government.

The plan includes homeless housing for families and seniors, townhouses to be built by Habitat for Humanity, market-rate for-sale housing, and wildlife habitat and open space.

“This is a unique opportunity to provide much-needed homeless housing for families and seniors in a mixed-income community,” said Nickels. “I applaud the Council for its adoption of the Fort Lawton Redevelopment Plan, and in particular for its support of the 85 units of homeless housing. I am proud of the work that the community, homeless and environmental advocates and the city undertook in developing this plan.”

The federal government declared the Fort Lawton Army Reserve Center surplus in 2005 and named the city of Seattle the Local Redevelopment Authority in 2006. In late 2006, the city solicited notices of interest (NOIs) from parties interested in the surplus federal property at Fort Lawton and then, together with representatives from the community and nonprofit partners, crafted the redevelopment plan.

The next step for the redevelopment plan is for it to be submitted to the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Defense. Once reviewed and approved by the federal departments, the plan would move into a more detailed design and permitting process. Construction is estimated to begin in 2011 or 2012.